“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20)

“And Christ said “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone”. (Luke 18:19)

Our ever-changing morals and values have flipped the earth upside down, and turned it inside out. What we once viewed as morally unconscionable, is now morally acceptable, and vice versa. We, as a society, throw the word “good” or “great” around far too loosely. This I have noticed especially when there is a high-profile death such as that of a celebrity, politician or religious figure. We ourselves even use the word to describe these people who we do not know, and the mate we hope to find and marry. The problem is, how do you define “good”? What makes a man or woman good, and whose standards are you judging them by? Dictionary.com defines good as morally excellent; virtuous; righteous; pious, which sounds nice. However, what yardstick are you using to measure someone’s virtue, righteousness or moral excellence? Are you judging them by man’s standards or by God’s standards?

“The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)

Being Good According to Man’s Standards

Being good according to man’s standards will never earn us brownie points with The Most High. Man’s standards are purely subjective and are based on our emotions, tastes, opinions or circumstances and are ever-changing. Satan manipulates our emotions and uses them to push his agenda. The world tells us to “Trust Our heart”, “To Follow Our Heart” and that the “Heart Never Lies”. However, the Most High tells us that the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked. You will find that the world always advocates for the opposite of what God requires. It is quite simple when you consider that Satan is the prince of this world. He is a deceiver, a liar and hater of mankind. Furthermore, the earth has been given into the hands of the wicked, so it is only fitting that the wicked would be propped up. After all, a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand.

“If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” (John 15:19)

“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” (1 John 5:3)

Being Good in God’s Sight

Being good in God’s sight is simple. The Most Hight is not influenced by our feelings or smooth words, and he changes not. He operates on conditions (i.e. If you do what He asks, you will receive His promises). The Israelites are a clear example of the goodness and severity of God. He said hearken unto me and observe to do all my commandments, and I will bless you above all nations. However, if you hearken not unto me and do not my commandments, all these curses will I bring upon you. Furthermore, these curses will be upon you for a sign and for a wonder, and upon your seed forever. Clearly, God does not play games because these people were scattered throughout the four corners of the earth, and are still scattered to this day. How then can we call someone good if they keep not God’s commandments.

“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” (Matthew 7:22)

“For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad” (Luke 8:17)

Whose Standards Are You Living By?

In a world that glorifies sin, wickedness and lawlessness, it is no wonder the earth is in utter chaos. Sadly, the masses look to those who inflict the chaos upon them, to bring in their solutions. If the very foundation a nation is built on is wicked, what standards would you expect to be pushed? Is someone “good” because they champion feminism, support abortion, or advocate for homosexuality? Conversely, would you call someone “evil” because they do not hold those same views? James 4:4 says, “to be a friend of the world is to be an enemy of God”. The only way we can truly gauge right from wrong or good from evil is by God’s Word, which is life and truth. In conclusion, which will be more important after you die? Who the world says you were in life or who God says you are on judgment day?

“Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” (James 4:4)

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2)

“Enter you in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14)

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